Plant Operations Manager - Automotive Manufacturing (Greenfield Site)
Location: Basildon, Essex (On-site)
Salary: Competitive + benefits
 
Overview
 
We are supporting an established European manufacturing business as they launch a new UK production facility in Basildon. This is a greenfield site, replicating a successful operation in Italy, focused on plastic injection moulding and associated finishing processes (including painting) for the automotive sector.
 
This is a key hire who will play a pivotal role in setting up, stabilising, and scaling the plant from the ground up.
 
The Role
 
As Plant Operations Manager, you will take ownership of the day-to-day operational setup and running of the facility, ensuring readiness for production and supporting long-term growth.
You will work closely with international stakeholders (Italy HQ) and be instrumental in building the UK team and operational capability.
 
Key Responsibilities
 
Site Setup & Readiness
Support final stages of site preparation and operational readiness Coordinate installation of production machinery (target June-July) Ensure the plant is fully operational for production go-live (target September) Operations Management
Oversee day-to-day plant operations, ensuring efficiency, quality, and safety Implement processes aligned with the existing Italian operation Drive continuous improvement across production, workflow, and output Team Build & Leadership
Lead initial hiring of ~10 staff, scaling to ~30+ over time Build and develop a high-performing production team Establish a strong on-site culture and operational discipline Stakeholder Coordination
Act as the key UK contact for the Italian HQ Ensure alignment on processes, standards, and timelines Support knowledge transfer between sites  
Candidate Profile
 
Essential
Proven experience in a Plant Manager / Operations Manager / Production Manager role Strong background in automotive manufacturing environments Experience in setting up or scaling manufacturing operations (greenfield or expansion highly desirable) Hands-on, operational mindset - comfortable being on the shop floor Experience with team building and hiring Desirable
Experience with plastic injection moulding Exposure to painting or finishing processes Experience working with international teams or parent companies Why Join?
Opportunity to build a manufacturing site from scratch High level of autonomy and ownership Long-term growth as the site scales over the coming years Work with an established international business entering the UK market Timeline Context (for candidates)
Site currently under construction Machinery installation: Summer 2026 (June-July) Production go-live: ~September 2026